Aston Martin DB7 GT (i6) (1995)

aston martin db7 gt
aston martin db7 gt 

Information taken from the AM/Bonhams 2004 auction catalogue

Back in 1959, the DB4 had a lighter, faster brother in the DB4GT variant. Soon after the DB7i6 was introduced, AML saw the potential for a stripped out, tuned DB7 with the idea that owners would participate in a one make race series for 'gentleman racers' - in effect, a DB4GT for the 1990's. The first DB7 GT was developed by AM enthusiast and collector, David Richard's Prodrive organisation, more famous for running the Subaru 'World Rally Cars'. The car was distinguished by a red band around the nose. Who then could imagine that Prodrive would eventually create and run the Aston Martin Racing DBR9 and David Richard would lead the successful bid to own Aston Martin itself.

Following this, the AML Customer Service Division (now Works Service) took one to the early press DB7's, chassis 100006, and fully rebuilt the car with the following specification

  • safety devices roll cage with removable side bars

  • two full race Reccaro competition seats, in black hide, to match black interior in Alcantara and quilted vinyl

  • new aluminium bonnet, boot lid and front wings to replace the composite originals

  • safety cut off switch in drivers side front wing

  • new style door mirrors mounted on cheator panels

  • Perspex side windows

  • fuel cell

  • TWR enhanced 3.2 litre, 6 cylinder engine

  • competition clutch and shot-peened 5 speed manual transmission

  • Prodrive designed uprated front and rear suspension, plus oil-cooled rear axle. Penske gas shock absorbers, adjustable from the cockpit

  • Special competition brakes with balance adjustable from the cockpit

  • Special tuned exhaust with centre catalyst

The car was then painted in Almond Green metallic with white roundels and a neat yellow band around the grille, reminiscent of the 1950's DB3S's and DBR2. After extensive testing, the car was demonstrated to potential customers, but sadly the project was not proceeded with and and the race series abandoned too. This car, prototype 001 and the Prodrive example was then sold off by AML in 1996, still with it's A7 AML registration number.

But the GT was successful as a mobile test bed to prove the benefits of it's race components and systems and to enhance the DB7 road car, in particular, the factory fitted, optional Driving Dynamics package.

The AML built car then appeared in the 2004 AM/Bonhams auction where it was sold for a modest £78,500 including premium; a small sum for a genuine and unique AML development car.

back to db7

Site Index | Bloxham Cars Index | AM Links | AM Books | Contact
Your First AM  | AM Glossary | About astonmartins.com 

forwards to db7 race car

  Page Updated Mittwoch Juli 09, 2008